Mastodawn

Georgiana Brummell Mar 28, 2025

Let's start with those who should not sing this aria.

Louis Graveure E lucevan le stelle

As I have said in other reviews, the story of Louis Graveure is quite amazing. He came to Clara Novello Davies unable to sing at all, with extreme congestion. Caruso's own doctor recommended him to her, knowing that she helped with breathing exercises. After years of study, he became a phenomenal baritone. However, at some point, he deliberately changed into a tenor. While he has a very powerful voice, I could hear him struggling several times. At the very least, his voice made noises that it shouldn't have and it detracted from the performance. He was far better off as a baritone, but he is still good when he sings less demanding tenor roles.

Puccini: Tosca / Act 3: "E lucevan le stelle" Léopold Simoneau

youtube.com/watch?v=xYOqImv1PI…

When I read this, I burst out laughing. Simoneau has the sweetest voice I have ever heard from anyone, and he has no chest voice, which is not a bad thing, but it doesn't work here. His Mozart pieces are lovely, though.

Tito Schipa - E lucevan le stelle (1913)

youtube.com/watch?v=UD6tQ6wpqk…

It is no secret that I consider Tito Schipa to be the best singer in the world. I adore his voice. But I am eternally grateful that he stopped singing such things within a few years after this recording, though there is one from 1915 and another from 1919. This, from 1913, is one of his earliest records. It's not that he couldn't sing the aria well. In fact, he sang it so well that the conductor, during one of his performances of it, begged him personally for an encore! It's that had he continued in these heavy roles, they would have completely destroyed his voice. Those who know his incredible mezza voce and general control know exactly what I mean.

Ferruccio Tagliavini ＂E lucevan le stelle＂ Tosca

youtube.com/watch?v=8RuKd4hld6…

Ferruccio Tagliavini had such a beautiful voice when younger that he could almost have equalled Schipa himself. But by this point, it was already changing, precisely due to singing roles such as this. Fortunately, he was able to adjust, but there is something to say for the phrase "you can never go home again". If you hear him in a lighter song, such as Una Furtiva Lagrima, in the 1940's and then in the late 1950's or 1960's, there is a huge difference. All the sweetness is gone in the later ones. Schipa's versions of it are beautiful from the 1920's straight to 1962, with only a few signs of age showing. As for this aria, Tagliavini does perform it well, but it's still a cautionary tale.

Now, we get to those who should be singing this sort of thing.

Enrico Caruso - E lucevan le stelle (Zonophone, April 19, 1903)

youtube.com/watch?v=rL6h90m2Ig…

This is from 1903, so his voice transformation (careful and deliberate, not damage) hadn't taken place yet. But his strength and depth is still evident. He can very easily handle this aria, emotionally, vocally, and most of all, physically. There is no strain in his voice at all, and it's a pleasure to listen to.

Beniamino Gigli E Lucevan Le Stelle Audio HQ

youtube.com/watch?v=D5HwI2hMiD…

Gigli was born to sing this sort of role. His rendition sent shivers down my spine. (For a similar experience, listen to his Nessun Dorma, which is incomparable.) Here, he sings even the quieter parts with a certain authority and firmness, yet with such control that it is amazing. When he does sing at full capacity, his emotions are completely in tune with the melody and character. He reaches all notes with ease. Whereas Graveure had some kind of feature in his voice, Gigli's slight changes are a hallmark of his and have been described by some as almost like sobbing. Here, though, they work to great effect to bring out the meaning of the words. Yes, I did research this one in translation.

#EnricoCaruso #BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #LeopoldSimoneau #LouisGraveure #opera #TitoSchipa #review

Louis Graveure E lucevan le stelle

YouTube

Georgiana Brummell Mar 28, 2025

Here is another opera review, this time with a twist. I already know the results and have grouped them accordingly. In this case, it's those who have no business singing this and those who sing it perfectly. Make no mistake. Everyone here has a beautiful voice. But not every voice type can, or should, sing everything.

Let's start with those who should not sing this aria.

Louis Graveure E lucevan le stelle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH-B7ftmBXM

As I have said in other reviews, the story of Louis Graveure is quite amazing. He came to Clara Novello Davies unable to sing at all, with extreme congestion. Caruso's own doctor recommended him to her, knowing that she helped with breathing exercises. After years of study, he became a phenomenal baritone. However, at some point, he deliberately changed into a tenor. While he has a very powerful voice, I could hear him struggling several times. At the very least, his voice made noises that it shouldn't have and it detracted from the performance. He was far better off as a baritone, but he is still good when he sings less demanding tenor roles.

Puccini: Tosca / Act 3: "E lucevan le stelle" Léopold Simoneau

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYOqImv1PII

When I read this, I burst out laughing. Simoneau has the sweetest voice I have ever heard from anyone, and he has no chest voice, which is not a bad thing, but it doesn't work here. His Mozart pieces are lovely, though.

Tito Schipa - E lucevan le stelle (1913)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD6tQ6wpqkA

It is no secret that I consider Tito Schipa to be the best singer in the world. I adore his voice. But I am eternally grateful that he stopped singing such things within a few years after this recording, though there is one from 1915 and another from 1919. This, from 1913, is one of his earliest records. It's not that he couldn't sing the aria well. In fact, he sang it so well that the conductor, during one of his performances of it, begged him personally for an encore! It's that had he continued in these heavy roles, they would have completely destroyed his voice. Those who know his incredible mezza voce and general control know exactly what I mean.

Ferruccio Tagliavini ＂E lucevan le stelle＂ Tosca

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RuKd4hld6o

Ferruccio Tagliavini had such a beautiful voice when younger that he could almost have equalled Schipa himself. But by this point, it was already changing, precisely due to singing roles such as this. Fortunately, he was able to adjust, but there is something to say for the phrase "you can never go home again". If you hear him in a lighter song, such as Una Furtiva Lagrima, in the 1940's and then in the late 1950's or 1960's, there is a huge difference. All the sweetness is gone in the later ones. Schipa's versions of it are beautiful from the 1920's straight to 1962, with only a few signs of age showing. As for this aria, Tagliavini does perform it well, but it's still a cautionary tale.

Now, we get to those who should be singing this sort of thing.

Enrico Caruso - E lucevan le stelle (Zonophone, April 19, 1903)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL6h90m2Ig8

This is from 1903, so his voice transformation (careful and deliberate, not damage) hadn't taken place yet. But his strength and depth is still evident. He can very easily handle this aria, emotionally, vocally, and most of all, physically. There is no strain in his voice at all, and it's a pleasure to listen to.

Beniamino Gigli E Lucevan Le Stelle Audio HQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5HwI2hMiDI

Gigli was born to sing this sort of role. His rendition sent shivers down my spine. (For a similar experience, listen to his Nessun Dorma, which is incomparable.) Here, he sings even the quieter parts with a certain authority and firmness, yet with such control that it is amazing. When he does sing at full capacity, his emotions are completely in tune with the melody and character. He reaches all notes with ease. Whereas Graveure had some kind of feature in his voice, Gigli's slight changes are a hallmark of his and have been described by some as almost like sobbing. Here, though, they work to great effect to bring out the meaning of the words. Yes, I did research this one in translation.

#EnricoCaruso #BeniaminoGigli #FerruccioTagliavini #LeopoldSimoneau #LouisGraveure #opera #TitoSchipa #review

Louis Graveure E lucevan le stelle

YouTube

Georgiana Brummell Feb 26, 2025

I never thought that I would find anyone to equal Tito Schipa. I still haven't. But I've come very, very close. The man to finally do it is Ferruccio Tagliavini. What a voice! He even impressed me with Una furtiva lagrima (several versions, but I like the one when he was older), and his Che gelida manina is wonderful, too! Sadly, I couldn't find Il Mio Tesoro, but I'm sure he would have sung that marvellously as well. So now, my top five are Tito schipa, Leopold Simoneau, Dino Borgioli, Ferruccio Tagliavini, and Richard Tauber. The first and fifth are steady, but The others might switch around, the more I listen to them.

#DinoBorgioli #FerruccioTaglivini #LeopoldSimoneau #RichardTauber #opera #TitoSchipa

Georgiana Brummell Feb 26, 2025

Here is another operatic conversation I had with Perplexity. I literally just found dino Borgioli tonight and I love what I hear. I think he may rate in my top five, the others being Schipa at number one, Simoneau, and though he was very different, Tauber. I don't have a fifth yet, but Borgioli may slip into third place if this loveliness continues. I don't know much about Fernando de Lucia. He seems decent, but not in the way of my immediately loving his voice. As for Caruso, I seem to prefer his earlier recordings prior to his voice change, even though, on a scholarly level, I am fascinated by it.

Me. "Over the last month, I have started to learn about opera. With only one exception, I prefer the singers from prior to the 1950's. I especially love tenore de grazia, but I listen to other types as well. It seems that there is a list of songs that almost everyone recorded, so I use them as a quick determinent of someone's voice and singing style. These are "Che gelida manina", "Un furtiva lacrima", "Il mio tesoro intanto", and occasionally, "La donna è mobile", and "O Sole Mio" if they sang it (yes, I know the last is not opera). But most sang the first three, at least. I love comparing different versions. So far, I think the best "Un furtiva lacrima" was sung by Tito Schipa, and the best "Il mio tesoro intanto" was sung by Leopold Simoneau. I couldn't decide between Schipa and Enrico Caruso for "Che gelida manina". But Caruso may win on "La donna è mobile". I must test him against a few others. Other singers I've reviewed include Richard Tauber, John McCormack, Beniamino Gigli, and Louis Graveure. I must include Fernando de Lucia, and newly discovered (for me) Dino Borgioli in my reviews. Are these good songs? Can you recommend others or will these give a good idea of voices, strengths, etc?"

Perplexity. "Your selection of arias for comparing opera singers, particularly those from the early 20th century, is indeed excellent. These pieces are widely regarded as staples of the tenor repertoire and offer a good basis for evaluating a singer's technique, expressiveness, and overall vocal quality.
"Che gelida manina" from Puccini's "La Bohème", "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore", and "Il mio tesoro intanto" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" are all excellent choices for assessing different aspects of a tenor's abilities. These arias showcase lyrical singing, emotional depth, and technical prowess, respectively.
Your preference for tenore di grazia, or leggero tenor, is well-served by these selections, particularly "Una furtiva lagrima" and "Il mio tesoro intanto". These roles often require the light, flexible voice characteristic of this voice type.
To further expand your comparative listening, you might consider adding:
1.
"Dalla sua pace" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni"
2.
"Je crois entendre encore" from Bizet's "Les pêcheurs de perles"
3.
"Ecco ridente in cielo" from Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia"
These pieces would complement your existing list, offering additional opportunities to assess agility, legato singing, and stylistic interpretation across different composers and periods.
Your selection of singers is also commendable, focusing on some of the most renowned tenors of the early recording era. Tito Schipa, in particular, is often hailed as one of the finest exponents of the tenore di grazia style. By comparing these arias across different singers, you're employing an effective method to discern the nuances of vocal technique, interpretation, and artistry that defined the golden age of opera singing. This approach will undoubtedly provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the great tenor voices of the past."

#BeniaminoGigli #DinoBorgioli #EnricoCaruso #FernandoDeLucia #JohnMcCormack #LeopoldSimoneau #LouisGraveure #RichardTauber #opera #singing #tenors #TitoSchipa

Georgiana Brummell Feb 5, 2025

Mini Review
I will not be analysing the singers as I usually do, but I will give my general opinion.
While I primarily love tenors, there is a certain voice type that I adore, and it is extremely rare. It's the lyric/light tenor, and yes, I put them together deliberately, because, according to my research, these voices could do both. They are not dramatic, but are light and sweet, and if used correctly, their owners have a mastery of phrasing and clarity, rather than sheer volume and/or weight. So far I had only found one serious opera singer with all of these qualities, namely Tito Schipa. Last night, I found another man, named Leopold Simoneau, and I was so moved by his voice that I immediately began downloading his recordings. I even matched him directly against Schipa himself, at one of the roles for which the latter is well-known, and Simoneau was so good that I gave up on trying to decide between them! Here, then, is the same song sung by both. Which do you prefer?

Tito Schipa sings Una furtiva lagrima- 1929
youtube.com/watch?v=un_3-NIgeP…

Léopold Simoneau; ＂Una furtiva lagrima
youtube.com/watch?v=5-37KU6gQL…

Here is another comparison. I chose a slightly later recording by Schipa, as the sound is better and it really shows off his voice better than the original.

Tito Schipa live at St. Louis in 1941 - ＂Il mio tesoro＂ from Mozart's ＂Don Giovanni
youtube.com/watch?v=dnCdtz7i03…

Leopold Simoneau - ＂Dalla sua pace＂, ＂Il mio tesoro＂
youtube.com/watch?v=UuPgWtLbk-…

Since the Simoneau version had another song attached, here is a bit more Schipa to compensate. He actually created a role in this opera, meaning that it was written for him. He was seventy-six when recording this, but his voice is still amazing!

Tito Schipa - No! Non lasciarmi solo (La Rondine) (Private recording, 1964)
youtube.com/watch?v=mJex-q5BvX…

Analysis
If I really had to compare these two singers, I would say that Simoneau's voice has a little something that Schipa's lacks, but I can't exactly explain it. Maybe, it's more delicate, flexible, or smooth. I'm not sure. But there is a quality that many other singers have, where they'll start soft, and then overpower everything with loud, booming voices. This is not only true of most modern singers who, after they sing a few notes, I turn off due to dislike of their style. Even the greats who had beautiful voices and sung in the old way did it. I realise, naturally, that some parts truly require this sort of voice, so it is quite necessary. But if I am going to sit down with a glass of wine and listen to someone sing for sheer enjoyment, as I am doing now, I don't want that. I can listen to both Schipa and Simoneau all day without tiring. Even at their loudest and most passionate, they still sound gentle and lovely, which is why they are so rare.

#opera #LeopoldSimoneau #review #TitoSchipa

Tito Schipa sings Una furtiva lagrima- 1929 video

YouTube